We Listen To You.

An assessment is a critical first step in helping create the most appropriate, comfortable life situation for any older adult. Our goal is to understand every facet of the elder's situation – what is working well and what is problematic – from the perspective of the elder, as well as family, caregivers and professionals involved in the situation. We strive to ensure the needs, desires and values of the disabled or older adult are recognized, respected and protected.

In most cases, the assessment begins with an interview with the older adult and their family members – usually together, but independently if desired. To ensure a comprehensive review, ECS Care Managers often contact healthcare professionals and other involved professionals.

Questions cover a range of issues relevant to the older adult's health and living situation, including everyday activities, nutritional status, safety, memory, mood, finances and insurance, as well as the specific wishes of the older adult.

At the conclusion of the assessment, ECS Staff discusses the findings with the elder, family and/or guardian. To ensure all involved are fully informed of the current situation and future direction, ECS often uses email to keep everyone involved in the discussion process. The elder, family and/or guardian may also request a written Care Plan.

We Plan with You.

A Care Plan is a road map offering step-by-step guidance to help the older adult reach their optimal health and life situation. Each Care Plan developed by ElderCare Solutions (ECS) is uniquely tailored to the needs of the elder and their family/guardian.

Care Plans contain recommendations for the following types of services, as appropriate:

• Specific services recommendations, such adult day care or in-home caregivers

• Facilities recommendations, such as nursing homes or senior housing

• Referrals to healthcare providers, such as specialty physicians or therapists

• Suggestions for specific behavioral approaches for dealing with behavioral issues, including resistance and conflict

• Advocacy suggestions, including effective ways to work for the older adult in healthcare systems

Each Care Plan includes our recommendations and rationale for every aspect of the plan. We also suggest priority needs and short as well as long-term expectations and goals.

After discussion and agreement on the Care Plan, the elder and family/guardian will decide how they want ECS to be involved in the implementation. Options range from the family/guardian assuming full responsibility for implementatin of the Care plan to engaging ECS to assume many or all of the implementation responsibilities. Caregivers who are geographically distant from elders often elect to delegate more responsibility for implementation to ECS staff.

Implementation responsibilities may include:

• Selection and supervision of in-home caregivers

• Nursing home or senior housing facility selection and transition planning

• Attendance at medical staff and facility planning session

• Arrangement for equipment and services for in-home support

• Advocating on behalf of the older adult to ensure they attain the quality of life and care they desire

With ECS, older adults and their family/guardians can select the amount and level of service which best meets the need. Our expertise in caring for older adults and our familiarity with local resources make ECS an ideal partner. Call us at 630.416.2140 to learn more about how a Care Plan can help.

We Manage for You.

For many elders and their families/guardians, partnering with ECS for continuing Care Management is an important option – especially when geography or health concerns limit the ability of family/guardians to monitor and manage care over time.

Advocacy and Continuing Care Management is offered in a range of services and levels. ECS staff work with older adults and their families/guardians to create the most effective plan.

Services may include:

• On-going scheduled visits to elders in nursing homes to monitor and manage care

• Regular visits to elders in their homes to monitor health status, mental/emotional status and continued appropriateness of living situation

• Modifications to the Care Plan and implementation of changes as dictated by changes in health or functional status

• On-going collaboration with Physicians and other providers to ensure a coordinated approach to care

• Regular participation in healthcare conferences with physicians, nurses, caregivers and facility staff to help ensure the needs of the older adult are met

• Regular contact with families/guardians via email or phone, especially those who are geographically distant or those not involved in direct care

• On-call availability for managing emergency situations

For more information about how ECS can help with ongoing Care Management for an older adult, contact us at 630-416-2140. One of our nurses can help you find the level of continuing Care Management which will best support your older adult and family.

To protect a vulnerable older adult, families or other concerned individuals may determine that protections afforded by legal guardianship would be in the individual's best interests. At the request of legal professionals, ElderCare Solutions has established an affiliated not-for-profit corporation – ElderGuardians – to assume legal responsibility as court-appointed Guardians.

The geriatric nurses of ElderGuardians ensure the elder is receiving the most appropriate and compassionate care through:

• Regular visits with the elderly person to evaluate level of satisfaction and comfort

• Continuous monitoring of all aspects of care

• Regular communication with all caregivers and healthcare providers

• Attendance at case conferences with medical, legal and caregiver representatives

ElderGuardian staff report regularly on the status of the elder and care plan through:

• Thorough and expert reports to the Court

• Timely communication with other interested parties

If you are considering guardianship for an older adult, we encourage you to call ECS at 630.416.2140 to discuss whether ElderGuardian services may be an option for you.scription

No one should face aging and illness alone. Older adults often find themselves without an ally or advocate when they are most vulnerable. At ECS, we help ensure their needs and desires are recognized, respected and protected. We advocate on behalf of the older and disabled adult to help achieve their health care goals and implement their choices when they can't do it themselves.

An increasing number of families, attorneys and advisors in Illinois call on ElderCare Solutions when an older adult is resisting assistance or intervention or when family members are in conflict over difficult care issues. We provide objective, expert assessments of the individual's needs and make specific recommendations for their health care and welfare. We consider the result of intervention and how it will affect the individual's functioning.

Call ECS at 630.416.2140 to learn more about ElderCare's advocacy services.